| November 11, 2002 |
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| Boycott Watch research reveals illegal boycott
activity |
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Boycott Watch has conducted a study
of the Arab boycott of Israel to determine merit, and came to a stunning
revelation: US anti-boycott laws specifically forbid people in the US from
joining into the Arab League boycott of Israel.
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| The antiboycott laws were adopted to
encourage, and in specified cases, require U.S. firms to refuse to participate
in foreign boycotts that the United States does not sanction. They have the
effect of preventing U.S. firms from being used to implement foreign policies
of other nations which run counter to U.S. policy. |
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| The antiboycott laws specifically
refer to boycotts involving foreign governments against another foreign
government and participation of people in the US in those boycotts. This law
does not apply to vast majority of boycotts, such as boycotts established in
the US against US companies, products or services. |
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| The Arab League boycott of Israel is
the principal foreign economic boycott that U.S. companies must be concerned
with today. The antiboycott laws, however, apply to all boycotts imposed by
foreign countries that are unsanctioned by the United States. |
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| The antiboycott provisions of the
Export Administration Regulations (EAR) apply to all "U.S. persons," defined to
include individuals and companies located in the United States and their
foreign affiliates. These persons are subject to the law when their activities
relate to the sale, purchase, or transfer of goods or services (including
information) within the United States or between the U.S. and a foreign
country. This covers U.S. exports and imports, financing, forwarding and
shipping, and certain other transactions that may take place wholly
offshore. |
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| As such, Boycott Watch has concluded
that the individuals and companies participating in the Arab League boycott of
Israel are committing felonies as defined by the provisions in the law. |
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| Based upon US law, Boycott Watch has
concluded that taking part in or promoting Arab League boycott of Israel is
against the best interests of the United States and is also a felony. As
Americans, we strongly discourage participation in the Arab League boycott of
Israel and specifically recommend the purchase of Israel goods and services to
counter the illegal boycott by supporters of the Arab League. |
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Source: Department of Commerce
US Antiboycott Compliance Laws against unsanctioned foreign
boycotts |
